How to Build a WordPress Website in One Day

I spent more than a month creating my first WordPress website. 

Well, it was all trial and error, lots of mistakes along the way. 

But finally, it was up and running. 

I have created three other websites, and the last one, I did it in just a day. Seems impossible, but it’s true. 

And that’s why I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I made and waste a lot of time when you can create a WordPress website in just a day. 

So, in this article, I will take you through simple steps to create your WordPress website, which include:

• Choose a Perfect Domain Name
• Buy Hosting and Domain Name
• Install WordPress
• Install a WordPress Theme
• Install Plugins
• Configure WordPress Settings
• Create Pages
• Set Up Your Menu
• Write Your First Blog Post (Optional)
• Market Your Site

Ready to set up your WordPress website? Read on!

10 Quick Steps to Build Your WordPress Website

In this section, I will walk you through all the important steps to set up your WordPress website in just a day. Keep reading!

1. Choose a Perfect Domain Name

Choosing a perfect domain name is crucial for your business, depending on your niche. A good domain name helps in branding and makes it easier for your audience to find you. 

Here’s how you can choose it:

• The shorter, the better.
• Avoid numbers and dashes.
• Try to stick with .com, but there are other good options too.
• Avoid using trademarked names and copyrighted material.
• Make sure the domain is available.
• Don’t use words that are difficult to pronounce or spell.

Once you have a domain in hand, its time to move to the next step. But incase you don’t have time to set up your own website, you can contact the Free Website Guys Agency. They can help you create your website for free as long as you buy a domain and hosting from their agency.

2. Buy Hosting and Domain Name

It’s important to buy your hosting plan from a reputable web hosting company. A reliable host ensures your website runs smoothly, with minimal downtime and good customer support. 

I use Namecheap web hosting services. 

When I bought my hosting plan, I was given a free domain name for a year, which was a good deal. 

You can check out this Namecheap review to find out its hosting plans and pricing. But if you already have a domain name, you can connect your domain name manually to your web hosting service.

You can check out reviews for other web hosting services:

HostPapa Review 2024: Is It the Right Hosting Provider for You?

ScalaHosting Review 2024: Features, Pros and Cons

HostAfrica Review 2024: Features, Pros & Cons

WeHostAfrica Review 2024: Is It the Best Web Hosting Company in Africa?

3. Install WordPress

Once you have bought a web hosting service and your domain name, it’s time to install WordPress. 

The good thing is, most web hosting services are already connected to WordPress. All you have to do is install WordPress and get started. 

If you are using Namecheap, using Softaculous automatic app installer, you can install WordPress in a few clicks.

Here are step-by-step guidelines covering the process:

• Log into your cPanel.
• Navigate to Exclusive for Namecheap customers section > Softaculous Apps Installer menu.
• On the homepage, click Install under the WordPress icon.

Note that this process can take a few minutes.

4. Install a WordPress Theme

A WordPress theme determines the look and feel of your website. It provides the overall design and layout. 

I use the Kadence theme, but you can also use popular themes such as Astra. Themes can be used for free, but for better functionality, you can upgrade to premium.

Here’s how to install a theme:

• Navigate to your WordPress dashboard by signing in to your account (yourdomain.com/wp-admin).
• From the left panel, select “appearance” and then “themes” from the menu.
• Click “add new” at the top of the page.
• Select “upload theme.”
• Click “browse” and locate the zip file containing the theme files you downloaded upon purchase.
• Select “Install” and then click “activate.”

5. Install Plugins

After installing your theme, next, you need to install and activate all required plugins, which help expand the functionality of WordPress. 

In addition to the plugins that come with your theme, there are thousands to choose from, that can do anything from enhancing site security to adding live chat or turning your page editor into a drag-and-drop editor. 

However, try to limit the number of plugins you use as too many can slow down your website or cause other plugins to break.

Here are some recommended plugins for every business website:

• Yoast SEO: This plugin helps you optimize your posts for search engines.
• Google Analytics: Track your website traffic and activity. If you’re a blogger, this is a necessity as most brands won’t work with you if you don’t have this installed.
• Jetpack: This plugin provides security, maintenance, and performance enhancements for your website.
• Akismet: Protect your site from spam comments on your blog posts.
• Elementor: Use a page builder plugin, such as Elementor, to transform your page editor into a more beginner-friendly drag-and-drop editor.

Here’s how to install WordPress plugins:

• From your WordPress dashboard, select “plugins” from the left-hand vertical menu.
• Click “add new” from the drop-down.
• Type in the plugin’s name you want to install.
• Click “install now” and then click “activate.”

6. Configure WordPress Settings

Before you begin customizing web pages and building out site content, you need to configure your settings, such as indicating your home page and blog posts page, as well as updating your site’s name, tagline, and the site icon.

Here’s how to configure the most commonly used settings:

• Logo: Go to “appearance” > “customize” > “site identity” > “change logo” > upload your logo.
• Site title: Go to “appearance” > “customize” > “site identity” > input site title (a.k.a. your business name).
• Site tagline: Go to “appearance” > “customize” > “site identity” > input site tagline (or simply delete the default WordPress tagline).
• Site icon: Go to “appearance” > “customize” > “site identity” > under “site icon” click “change image” > upload the image you want to display as your site icon (a.k.a. favicon).
• Homepage: Go to “appearance” > “customize” > “homepage settings” and select the webpage you want to set as your homepage.
• Blog: Go to “appearance” > “customize” > “homepage settings” and under “posts page” select the page you want to set as your blog.
• Permalink settings: Go to “settings” > “permalinks” then choose your preferred structure (typically “post name”) and save changes.

7. Create Pages

Now, it’s time to start creating your web pages, which are what websites are made up of. 

For example, the average business website includes a number of pages, such as the homepage, services, pricing, about, and contact. 

In WordPress, every page that isn’t a blog post (or article), is considered a page.

Here’s how to create and/or customize pages in WordPress:

• From the WordPress dashboard, go to “pages” from the left-hand vertical menu.
• To create a new page, click “add new.”
• To customize an existing page, go to “all pages” and then find the page from the list of pages, and click “edit.”
• If you installed a page builder plugin, select the option at the top to edit with the page builder, such as “edit with Elementor.”
• Write your site copy and customize your pages.
• When you’re finished, click publish.

Repeat these steps for any other pages you want to create.

8. Set Up Your Menu

Now that you’ve set up your pages, create and configure your menu. This is how visitors navigate through your site, and depending on your theme, you may have more than one menu (such as a menu at the top of the site and one in the footer).

Here’s how to configure your site menu:

• From your dashboard, go to “appearance” > “menus.”
• To add pages, select the page from the left-hand list.
• Click and hold pages to re-order your menu or to nest pages as sub-pages below others.
• Click save changes.

Once you have set up your menu, scroll down on the same page and find the section called “menu settings.” Under “display location,” check the box next to “primary.” This will set the menu as your site’s main menu that will display in your header.

9. Write Your First Blog Post (Optional)

In addition to web pages, many businesses also opt to add blog posts to help improve their likelihood of getting found in search engines, such as Google. 

To write a blog post, go to “posts” from the left-hand vertical menu and click “add new.” 

From there, you can edit the blog post the way you would a web page. One difference is that, unlike a page, you can write a blog post and then schedule it to publish at a later date.

Here’s how to create a blog post in WordPress:

• Select “posts” from the left panel of your dashboard and click “add new.”
• Type in the post’s name.
• Choose the category you want to put it in.
• Write your content.
• When you’re finished, click publish.

Note that if you’re not seeing your blog posts show up on your site, you might need to check that you’ve denoted your blog page to WordPress. 

To do this, go to “appearance” > “customize” > “homepage settings.” From there, find “posts page” and select the page you want to set as your blog.

10. Market Your Site

Last but not least, you should plan to market your website. Websites are not necessarily a “build it and they will come” kind of thing. 

Instead, businesses that get found online are those that have invested in a variety of website marketing strategies to help their site gain visibility online, which will help drive visitors to your site.

Here are a few of the most effective ways to market your site:

• Submit your URL to Google Search Console: This helps your site get indexed and rank more quickly in search results.
• Create social media accounts for your website: Include links in your posts, such as a Facebook Business Page, an Instagram account, or a Pinterest business account.
• Submit your website to relevant online directories: Examples include Yellow Pages, TripAdvisor, or Yelp.
• Create a Google My Business account: This helps your business get found in local search.
• Add your business to the Better Business Bureau: This can enhance your credibility and visibility.
• Add your website’s URL to your email signature, business cards, or any other marketing materials you use: This ensures as many people see your website as possible.

The best way to market a website is to use a variety of these strategies, giving your site maximum exposure and the best chances of getting found online.

Final Thoughts

Building a WordPress website in one day is entirely possible with the right approach. 

By following these steps, you can avoid the trial and error that often comes with setting up a website for the first time. 

Remember, the key is to stay focused and keep things simple. With a bit of preparation and these guidelines, you’ll have your site up and running in no time. 

Ready to build your WordPress website today? 

Let me know how it goes in the comments.